New Site

Seriously, go Here.

Alright, I think this time I actually figured out how to give you a link.

Moving

people actually still read this?

http://www.christianparrett.wordpress.com

oh Silver City

Hey all,
Here's a few photos of our Colombian trip. Since then I rolled over to Anniston where I supported our sprinter, Dave Guttenplan on his way to 13th in the crit and 7th in the road race. Had some fun in my first ever NRC crit and even attacked with 3 to go. Now I'm hanging out in Silver City, NM getting ready for the Tour of the Gila. The race starts on Wednesday and is, as always, one of the biggest events in the US.

Colombia

I wrote this for the website, not sure if it will go up, but I'll share it hear.

Chemstar presented by United Healthcare recently had three riders venture to Colombia for the team’s second international stage race of the season. Coulton Hartrich, Christian Parrett and Shane Braley journeyed to what they dubbed ‘the lost world of cycling,’ a place where bike racing is as big as it is anywhere in Europe. The crowds are huge, the passion surrounding the sport immense, and the climbers supremely quick.

Although Shane, Christian and Coulton are still building condition for the main part of the season, Chemstar p/b United Healthcare was able to bookend the race with nice performances. Christian Parrett cranked out 26th in the prologue and only seconds out of the jersey for best u23 rider. This was made extremely impressive since he was on a stock road bike with spoked wheels riding against competitors on full TT equipment. Parrett hopes to return with his full aero Specialized set up in May and get on the podium at the U23 Tour of Colombia.

The final day, both Christian and Coulton were able to make an elite front group of riders on the difficult circuit race in downtown Armenia that saw the Peleton torn to bits. Unfortunately a late-race crashed messed up plans for the sprint but it was still a nice performance.

In between the team suffered on the high mountain passes, unnaclimated to the altitude. However, they built fitness for the upcoming Tour of the Gila, and had an amazing experience seeing Colombia. The countryside around Armenia was beautiful and the people extremely friendly. The local press took to the gringos well, as did the spectators. The riders spent up to an hour after stages signing autographs and talking to the local children. For a team who prides itself on reaching out to the communities it races in, this trip was a huge success.

What you should get out of all that is Colombia is awesome. If you don't see me around it's probably because I moved there.

The other Europe?

So I've had the luck to travel all around the world to race my bike. I've pedaled in anger on the roads of numerous countries of Europe, spent two full days travelling to do a stage race in New Zealand, visited the French Department of America's hat for the Tour de L'abitibi, and of course hit up many of the States of this Union to pin the numbers on. Now, I've even had the chance to hit up South America. In Uruguay I found surprisingly European style racing, with TV coverage, huge crowds, talented riders, and excellent racing. It's not that surprising when you consider cycling is the 2nd largest sport in many South American Countries, on a continent where the might of Soccer will never be toppled.

Now Chemstar p/b United Healthcare has another chance to compete in South America. Myself, Coulton Hartrich, Shane Braley and possibly one or two other riders are heading to Colombia, where we'll trade the windswept plains of Uruguay for beautiful (and tough) mountains. Having heard stories of the racing in those parts I expect it be absolutely brutal, but another great adventure.

Uruguay

Sorry I'm a little late on a Uruguay post. The race was a great experience and a great way to start the season. Results weren't so hot due to some bad luck and lack of racing form but I had a realy great time. HEre's some pictures to make up for lack of details.

David Guttenplan

So since my roommate wrote about me in his blog (http://theguttman.blogspot.com) I agreed to mention him in my next blog. Instead, I decided to one up him and make an entire blog post dedicated to The Gutt. Let's start with a list of things you should know about the Gutt.

-His nickname comes from the fact that he can eat a ridiculous amount of food, and gets quite gut for a little guy from doing it.
-He has some absolutely ridiculous chops (see photo below).

-David flatted yesterday but still hasn't changed it, and now he has 35 minutes to eat breakfast and be ready for the ride.
-He won't be ready for the ride, because despite being a nice guy, is generally frantic and running late a lot.
-He's happy because one of his coaching clients just won a race.
-He pretty much talks nonstop which is ok because most of what he says is pretty ridiculous.
-David was a world class juggler and yo-yoer in his elementary and middle school days.
-David hates time trials and climbing, but can win lots of bike races with his combination of sprint, sneakiness, and sweet chops.

It's like that yall

And bam, just like that, I've been to South America.

Curtis and I hopped in the car at 6 am Friday and drove ourselves south, south, south, all the way to Miami. There we parked at our bosses house, and were given a ride to the airport by our friend and sponsor Fernando (please check http://daniale.com/).

A nine hour flight took us to Santiago, Chile. I slept the majority of the flight, and some of the next flight too, a 2.5 hour trip from Santiago to Montevideo. All in all it was probably the smoothest travel day I've ever had.

Now we're at the Hotel in Montevideo, which is actually quite nice. The cit is beautiful and we got in a short ride along the beach. We also had some of the steak that Uruguay and Argentina are famous for, and it was excellent.

Now we have a few more days until racing starts and life goes full-gas.

SIRV

In addition to just racing our bikes this year, Chemstar p/b UHC is also participating in a number of community outreach programs to try to give back a little while racing our bikes. The community outreach branch of our team is known as SIRV-which stands for Supporting Integrity and Responsibility in Velosport. We're starting by promoting cycling and health with over 40 visits this year to various schools, with a a focus on under-served communities. We're also running a helmet donation program and running several larger events at some bigger races. In the future, we hope this program grows along with our team, and that we can make an impact as we travel to other countries to race. It'd be great if everyone with a facebook account could look up SIRV on facebook to stay up to date with what we're doing, and go to Chemstarcycling.com and click on the link to SIRV as the website gets up and running.

Some of these photos may be a double-post but they are from our first school visit to the St. Andrew's School in Nassau during the Tour of the Bahamas.

Heading South

Team Chemstar might be a brand new team, but at the beginning of March, we will start our first UCI International stage race at the Rutas de America in Uruguay. I'm really excited to be on the roster for this race, and to visit South America for the first time in my life. It looks to be a tough race with Pro-Continental teams from Europe attending as well as the top South America competition. It's a true Pro stage race held over 6 days. Myself, Shane Braley, David Guttenplan, Curtis Winsor and Coulton Hartrich will all be representing Chemstar presented by United Healthcare. So Maconites, if you see me flying down the road glued to the bumper of a car or scooter, you know why.

roll out

Team Chemstar rolled out the season at Tour of the Bahamas not too long ago. No spectacular results form yours truly but great training and some time in the sunshine. We also did a school visit as part of our community outreach program, something I'm really excited about this year. Overall we had an amazing time and I'm really excited about the coming season. At the moment I'm just building fitness and looking towards San Dimas, Redlands and Battenkill after a few more local races. Please check out chemstarcycling.com and look for us on facebook to see what we're up to this year.

2011

http://chemstarcycling.com/site/?p=102

I'm very excited to be a member of the new Chemstar presented by United Healthcare Pro Development team in 2011. I got in touch with team manager Todd Hancock late last year and he has done nothing but impress me throughout all our contact. The team is a mix of young riders and older guys who have a lot of experience to pass down. We have a great mix of sponsors, great staff and quality riders, so we are all looking forward to a big year in 2011.

Aside from that, I have just been training, although a bit of sickness and this weather is making things tough again. I think we all miss the winters of 50 and 60 degree temperatures or even getting those wonderful weeks of short-sleeve weather. Unfortunately, there's nothing to be done but bundle up and put in the miles.